2011 Good, Ehh, Bad

2010 ended for some with things going really good, (you got the new car, the promotion everyone is healthy). For some it just ended (same old car, same pay, but at least you have your health). For others it ended like a nightmare (I know people who have lost their jobs, lost both parents to the grave, even faced the death of a child)

2011 will end the same way, some good, some ehh, some bad. I make no promises for 2011 except that Jesus said he would never leave us or forsake us, that he would be with us always.

So everyday of 2011, good, ehh, or bad, he is with you. Praise him for the good. Seek him during the "ehh" for guidance. Rest with him during the bad. Cling to the good shepherd during the bad, you must know he is with you to fear no evil.

You have to work this out everyday in 2011 with fear and trembling. I don't know what 2011 holds, I guess I better just focus on tomorrow, which is part of 2011

Oops, just noticed it's after midnight, it's 2011. Everyone is healthy, thank you Jesus. Job situation in Michigan kindof ehh, so Jesus guide. My stepfather's health is bad, help him Jesus, minister to him, care for him, help me to do so. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jimmy Valvano Speech

7 Reasons I Loved This Day

1. The Weather is perfect. Thank you LORD. 75 and a nice breeze, need I say more.

2. My wife brought me a cup of coffee, while I was sitting in the shade reading a book. Thank you dear.

3. The book I am reading is life out loud funny, entertaining, and educational. Now that's for a good book. Lonesome Dove is the name of the book.

4. I saw most of my neighbors this morning. I have really good neighbors. It is easy to love thy, for me. We took the next door neighbors, Anna and Laura, with us to the library this morning. Went with our neighbor, Jenn, to the farmer's market.

5. Talked to Johnny and Sara Ellen on the phone. They are from South Carolina. They are always cheerful, they will cheer up any one's day. I told Sara Ellen about my book, and she was excited.

6. I am sitting in one my favorite places on Earth as I write this blog. I am under the maple tree in my backyard on a blanket with Monica and Elizabeth. We just had a nice picnic. Good food, good weather, and my two favorite girls.

7. Finally, the reason I loved this day is, this day is only half over. Maybe the best is yet to come. It will have to be really good to beat my day so far.

Nudge

The Holy Spirit gave me the word "nudge" about a month ago and I have been living by this word ever since.

God has some things he wants us to do, so how will we react. Many just don't take any action whatsoever. Others try and do everything all at once. This is where the word "nudge" comes in. We find out what God wants for our lives then we begin nudging ourselves in that direction. We take one tangible step at a time. We refuse to do nothing and we refuse to be bogged down by trying to do everything all at once.

If you we want to get in shape we nudge ourselves towards that first walk. If we want our finances in order we nudge ourselves towards preparing a budget. If we want a ministry to grow we just give it a tangible nudge in that direction. Then we nudge ourselves towards the next step, then the next.

Vince Lombardi said, all people want to win, but not everyone prepares to win. The nudging is the steps we take that prepare us to win. Wow, we want to be a good parent, everyone wants that, how are we nudging ourselves towards being a good parent. We want to do better in school, what "nudge" step will we take to get better. We want to get better at our job, everyone wants that I hope, but how are we nudging ourselves to get better.

So I ask you what does God want for your life? What is the first step you can start ASAP that will nudge you towards that dream?

Help

The good news of Jesus should be a help. Paul in Acts 16:9-10 saw a vision of a man in Europe begging him to come there and help him. Paul concluded from this that is where he should preach the gospel.

In Europe Paul helped a slave girl with the good news of Jesus. She was set free and went from being an abnormal fortune teller to a normal non fortune teller. Paul also helped a suicidal prison warden. This warden was so changed by the good news of Jesus that he changed from someone who tortures to someone who heals, from suicidal to finding life.

There is someone out there that needs our help. Jesus went around doing good Acts 10:38 says, and we are to do the same as his followers. What can we do this week to be a help. Brainstorm about someone in particular that you can help this week. Also, as the opportunities arise help as many individuals you can this week.

The good news of Jesus should not be something we beat people up with, it should be something that we help people up with.

I love you guys.

In Jesus' Service,

Preach the Word.

I use to go with a college group to feed and minister to the homeless in Orlando Florida. I was still very wet behind the ears when it came to preaching and felt quite nervous and unsure that I could preach. A friend of mine on our ministry team named Jason would slap me on the shoulders, look me right in the eye, and raise his voice and say, "PREACH THE WORD!" His confidence was infectious. His confidence came from the Word not from his self. That lesson has always stuck with me. I often will say to myself before going into the pulpit, "PREACH THE WORD!"

I would encourage all of us when we feel like we cannot make it through our day, our circumstances, and our life to "PREACH THE WORD" to our day, circumstances, and life. Find the confidence you need from God's Word and not yourself. Speak God's truth throughout your day, speaking directly to your day. You don't have to be a master theologian to do this either.

I no longer feel that same nervousness that I felt 11 years ago when it comes to preaching. It is the Word that has brought me this far. I will continue to trust in God's Word to take me where God needs me to go over my next years. I believe you can trust God to do the same for you through his Word.

I love you guys,

In Jesus' Service,

Have a good Laugh

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-UF-h1K4rM

I love you guys.

In Jesus' Service,

Parking Lot

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our parking lot repairs. It looks great.

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